Coming Home. Part 1 British Columbia

Coming home.  The route home isn’t straightforward even after residency training.  We are putting together information from the provincial recruiting agencies which we hope will be of assistance to you.

British Columbia has been our first response.

Here is HealthMatch BC’s physician brochure, which outlines licensing requirements for Family and Specialist Physicians looking to practice in BC.

Physicians Trained in the US and/or other RCPSC Approved Jurisdictions

• Specialist physicians trained in the USA and other approved jurisdictions of the RCPSC may use this flowchart to determine potential eligibility for full or provisional registration to practice in BC.
• Applicants who may be eligible for provisional registration are welcome to register with Health Match BC for assistance in preparing and submitting an application for a CPSBC pre-screening assessment.
• Applicants in this category must obtain a RCPSC Ruling confirming access to the RCSPC certification examination in their primary specialty, prior to licensure with the CPSBC.
• US-trained specialists complete licensing examinations prior to their residency training in the US. These licensing examinations are recognized by the CPSBC in lieu of the Medical Council of Cana Qualifying Examination (MCCQE ) Part 1 and Part 2. The acceptable US licensing examinations are:

1. USMLE – step 1, step 2 (CK), step 2 (CS) and, step 3
2. NBME    – Part I, Part II, Part III
3. FLEX       – Component 1, Component 2
4. COMLEX – USA – Level 1, Level 2 (CE), Level 2 (PE), Level 3

• Applicants who trained outside of the US and who do not meet the US licensing examinations listed above, must successfully challenge the MCCQE Part 1, prior to licensure. After licensure, the CPSBC will give them 5 years to successfully challenge the MCCQE Part 2.

Jurisdictions not approved by RCPSC – PER (Practice Eligibility Route)

• The PER route is presently not approved in BC.

Practice Ready Assessments

• BC has a Practice Ready Assessment – British Columbia (PRA-BC), however it is for Family Physicians who have completed their Family Medicine training outside of a recognized jurisdiction of the CPFC. At this time, Practice Ready Assessments are not available for Specialists Physicians in BC.
• Below are links for some of the available Practice Ready Assessment programs we are aware of in other provinces:
  1. Practice Readiness Assessment Alberta (PRA-AB)
  2. Saskatchewan International Physician Practice Assessment (SIPPA)

• University of Manitoba International Medical Graduate Program (PRA MB – Family Practice & PRA MB – Specialty Practice)

1. Collège des médecins du Québec
2. Clinical Skills Assessment and Training in Newfoundland and Labrador (CSAT)
3. Practice Ready Assessment – Newfoundland and Labrador (PRA-NL)

• Nova Scotia Practice Ready Assessment Program (NSPRAP)